Addressing a rally in Malda on Friday, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee launched a sharp attack on the BJP and its allies, urging voters to unite against them in the run-up to the West Bengal Assembly Elections.
Appealing to the electorates, Mamata called on people to “go to the polls armed with a broom,” warning that BJP leaders were “more dangerous than the CPI(M).” She alleged that former CPI(M) cadres had joined the BJP and were now working against Trinamool Congress (TMC) interests.
The Chief Minister also raised concerns over alleged deletions of names from voter rolls, urging affected individuals to immediately approach the tribunal.
“Do not cast a single vote for those responsible for striking off names. Party offices will assist with application forms,” she said, claiming that there was an attempt to remove the names of several TMC supporters.
Referring to the recent unrest in Malda, in which seven judicial officials were confined at a BDO office for over nine hours by protestors, Mamata expressed concern, stating that “a single incident has tarnished the image of Bengal.” She blamed external elements for the incident, alleging that individuals linked to AIMIM Chief Asaduddin Owaisi had entered the region and attempted to influence the electoral landscape.
“This is not the fault of local people. A ‘cuckoo’ sent from Hyderabad came with communal elements. They split votes in Bihar and helped the BJP win, and they are trying the same here,” she alleged without naming Owaisi.
The Chief Minister commended the state’s Criminal Investigation Department (CID) for apprehending the alleged perpetrator, noting that it acted independently despite changes in administrative control during the election period.
She pointed out that with the Election Commission taking over certain administrative functions, her government no longer had direct control over the police.
“Had we retained full authority, law and order would have been maintained,” she asserted.
Mamata also questioned the effectiveness of the deployment of central forces, asking why such incidents could not be prevented despite a heavy security presence. In a dramatic moment, Mamata issued an open challenge to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, inviting him to a public debate.
“Tell the Prime Minister to debate with me on a public platform. I will expose his true face,” she said, adding that he relies on scripted appearances and teleprompters.
Continuing her offensive, Mamata criticised the BJP’s “double engine” governance model, questioning its impact on development. She accused the Centre of neglecting key issues, citing unrest in Manipur and alleging that Bengalis face discrimination in other states for speaking their mother tongue.
Taking a swipe at Union Home Minister Amit Shah, she remarked that central agencies were being used to intimidate opponents. “Focus on Manipur first, then look at Bengal,” she said.
Concluding her speech, the Chief Minister called for a “fierce battle” in the upcoming elections, urging voters—especially minorities—to remain vigilant against what she described as a “vote-cutting game.”
“My instinct says they will be defeated. But for that, we must ensure Trinamool’s victory in Bengal,” she said, adding that voters must respond strongly to alleged irregularities in the electoral process.
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